by Alan Rapp on May 8, 2013
in Comics
Derek Dynamo and Super Dinosaur get their first taste of Tyrannosaurus X when the super-powered dinosaur version of Max Maximus battles the two heroes above the Statue of Liberty and all through New York City.
The pair have their hands full with a villain whose at least as smart as Derek and more powerful than Super Dinosaur. In terms of action Super Dinosaur #19 certainly delivers as the entire comic (aside from the scenes shown in Dynamo Dome) are all focused on the fight (and Tyrannosaurus X kicking our heroes butts).
Although Derek and SD win the day (with a little luck and a giant explosion from SD’s overloaded armor), the comic does a good job of setting up Tyrannosaurus X as a legitimate threat in a way that mad scientist Max Maximus never quite worked. Here’s hoping we see much more of the new super-villain in the coming months. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on April 11, 2013
in Comics
The latest issue of Super Dinosaur gives us the destruction of Castle Maximus, the rescue of Julianna Dynamo, the capture of Max Maximus, and the birth of the series’ new villain Tyrannosaurus X (who is ever bit as awesome as his name would suggest).
The comic begins with the destruction of Maximus’ home base just as Super Dinosaur and his team were preparing their assault, putting all the heroes a bit on edge throughout the rest of the comic, particularly Derek who still can’t remember his mother even after the team finds her comatose body (possibly foreshadowing more twists to this story?).
The best part of Super Dinosaur #18 is the evolution of Minimus into the far more deadly threat of Tyrannosaurus X. Aside from looking pretty cool, the character’s unique match of brains and brawn gives the series a legitimate super-villain whose far more interesting, and threatening, than Maximus. His addition also pumps some new life into a comic that at times (despite it’s absurdly awesome premise) has felt a little stale. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on February 11, 2013
in Comics
Derek and Super Dinosaur continue to try and stop the Civil War on the moon by hunting down the missing children of both families in Paris and explaining what their Romeo & Juliet love affair and unexplained disappearance has wrought.
There’s a good amount of action here, including Super Dinosaur breaking out his new Stealth Jet Armor for the first time. While playing on a Shakespearean story, Robert Kirkman certainly doesn’t go too highbrow to turn off his younger readers (both Derek and SD are amused and disgusted to learn the alien bugs eat poop). It’s a little sophomoric (especially as Kirkman brings up the subject multiple times) but certainly not out of character for our heroes.
The comic’s B-story continues Dr. Dynamo’s search for his wife. The final pages bring Derek in on the truth of his missing mother and set the stage for the comic’s next big arc. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on January 2, 2013
in Comics
I have four words for you: Super Dinosaur in space! If that isn’t enough to pique your interest than I don’t know what else to say.
When trouble arises on the moon Derek Dynamo and Super Dinosaur are sent to the secret “Inner-Moon” colony of the Kalish who include two races, the Krill and the Sloon, whose differences have led to an all-out civil war inside the heart of the moon.
Finally getting the two sides to stop fighting, Derek uncovers the reason for the recent heating up of the long-dormant feud. The son and daughter of both leaders have vanished, secretly traveling to Earth, sparking the renewal of the hostilities. To keep the delicate temporary truce, Derek and SD will have to return to Earth and find the pair and bring them home.
Fun stuff. I especially like seeing Super Dinosaur in his own space suit. The comic seems to foreshadow a Romeo and Juliet tale between the offspring of the warring tribes, but we’ll have to wait until next month to see if that’s case. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on November 15, 2012
in Comics
Super Dinosaur #15 concludes the Inner Earth storyline as Derek is able to escape the clutches of The Exile, reconnect with Super Dinosaur and his friends, and make his way home. The action is certainly fast and furious, but Derek’s reunion with his friends does feel a little rushed compared to the amount of time the arc has spent with the other aspects of this story.
Although Derek, Super Dinosaur, and the other children manage to make it back home from Inner Earth safely, writer Robert Kirkman lays down quite a bit of foreshadowing and the events from this arc are likely to have long term consequences for everyone involved.
The Exile is imprisoned but his theory on life on the surface has been proven and he has plenty of time to plot his revenge. We also get SD finally making a connection in Inner Earth when the group is saved thanks to help from another Tyrannosaurus rex, only to have to abandon his new friend to help Derek get safely home. It may be a bit rushed, but Super Dinosaur #15 is a good conclusion to the arc. Next month: Super Dinosaur in space! Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on October 4, 2012
in Comics
The “Inner Earth” story arc continues as Derek and his kidnapper, the Exile, try to stay one-step ahead of the soldiers who want them both dead on orders by the Exile’s brother. After making their escape from the palace Derek meets the rest of the resistance, other Reptiloids that believe life could exist on the face of the planet. With one side wanting him dead (as his very existence is sacrilege) and the other wanting to invade the surface of the planet, Derek is stuck in the middle. Thankfully, for him, he’s a clever kid.
We also get more of Derek’s rescue team (Super Dinosaur, Elliot, Erika and Erin) braving the various dinosaurs and creatures while searching for their missing friend, and Super Dinosaur comes to the sad conclusion that the truth of Inner Earth is far less glamorous than his dreams.
The issue keeps the story moving forward, although with the time split between the groups we don’t get as far down the road as I’d like. Still, there are plenty of action scenes for both Derek and his friends and some humorous moments, such as Derek introducing himself to the non-believers. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on August 29, 2012
in Comics
Kidnapped and taken into Inner Earth by the Exile, Derek learns the truth about his captor in the latest issue. It turns out the Exile isn’t the super-villain Derek believed him to be but a member of the royal family who was banished for his theories of life on the surface of the Earth.
As Derek works on escaping, and even defending the creature that kidnapped him, Super Dinosaur brings his team to the rescue. There’s one big continuity error here with the ease SD and the kids make it into Inner Earth (a place that super-villains and scientists alike have been spending decades trying to discover).
You can’t really overlook such a big plot issue, but there’s enough fun here, including some great action, that you aren’t forced to dwell on it. You probably aren’t reading a title like Super Dinosaur for its logic or consistency. Still, it’s troubling.
The quick shift into the motivations of the Exile and the unexpected complexity of the politics in Inner Earth is a nice touch. I’m hoping the characters get to spend more time exploring the world before reuniting and returning to the surface. For fans.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on July 29, 2012
in Comics
With Dr. Dynamo near comatose having lost both his wife and son in a manner of minutes, and the rest of the adults struggling with what to do next, Super Dinosaur, Elliot, Erika and Erin agree to set out to bring Derek home as “Super Force Team Awesome” is born.
After waiting all his life to explore Inner-Earth Derek is a bit disappointed that he must do so as the prisoner of the Exile. But the more time he spends in the secret world deep within the Earth’s core the more fascinated he becomes with what he sees including a final secret the Exile reveals.
After months of discussions of Inner Earth I was happy to see the place through Derek’s eyes. I’m pretty sure the team of Super Dinosaur and three untested kids as a rescue force is a really bad idea, but I’ll tip my hat for the terrific name. We’ll have to wait at least one more month to see what secrets the hidden city the Exile reveals in the issue’s final page have to do with Derek, Super Dinosaur, and fate of humanity. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on June 14, 2012
in Comics
As the Exile takes control of Dyna Dome, Erin finds herself at the mercy of the Dino-Men who have knocked-out Super Dinosaur and turned their attention on the young girl who hitched a ride to the action, not realizing how dangerous things would get.
To the teenager’s surprise, she’s rescued by her parents who are operating a spare suit of SD’s armor while armoring the T-Rex with some new heavy artillery. Although the group is able to win the day, by the time they make it back to Dyna Dome they find Derek has been kidnapped by the Exile and Dr. Dynamo‘s successful rescue of his wife was anything but as the woman he though was Erica turns out to be a walking bomb that almost kills them all.
Another solid issue that ends with an intriguing cliffhanger, and an entire new world to explore, as Derek finds himself transported with the Exile to Inner-Earth. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on April 22, 2012
in Comics
With Derek busy trying to learn something from the mysterious Exile, Super Dinosaur returns to the volcano searching for signs of the Dino-Men, only to walkin into the middle of an ambush. To make matters worse he’s got Erin along with him who decided to tag along not grasping just how dangerous SD’s missions truly are.
Meanwhile Dr. Dyanmo turns Max Maximus back over to his people in order to be reunited with his wife Julianna, but that leaves the doctor and his newly rediscovered wife at the hands of his greatest enemy.
Things are even bleaker for SD, whose knockout leaves Erin completely unprotected, and Derek is shocked to learn just how powerful the Exile is as he takes control Earthcore Headquarters from his prison cell.
Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard deliver another fun issue which gives us some dinosaur-on-dinosaur action, multiple cliffhangers, and several possibilities for next month’s issue. Worth a look.
[Image, $2.99]
